MONEY MATTERS
Let’s Go Car Shopping!
3
The BIG Idea
• What are the most important things to consider when buying a car?
AGENDA
Approx. 45 minutes
I. Warm Up: Which Car Would
You Choose? (5 minutes)
MATERIALS
❑ STUDENT HANDBOOK PAGES:
• Student Handbook page 162, Car Ads
• Student Handbook page 163,
New vs. Used Cars
II. What to Look for in a Car
(10 minutes)
• Student Handbook pages 164–166,
Find Your Car
III. Do Your Research Before You
Go (20 minutes)
IV. Think You Found “The One?”
(5 minutes)
V. Wrap Up (5 minutes)
• Student Handbook page 167,
Test Drive Tips
❑ Information packets about two used car
options (one per student, see PREPARATION)
❑ Overhead projector and/or LCD projector
❑ Chart paper and markers
OBJECTIVES
During this lesson, the student(s) will:
• Identify criteria to consider when purchasing a car.
• Identify steps to take in researching a car purchase.
• Weigh information needed to choose a car.
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Grade 11, Money Matters 3: Let’s Go Car Shopping!
OVERVIEW ............................................................................................
In this lesson, students begin by choosing a car from a list of ads and explaining the reasons for
their selections. Next, the class identifies some of the things people look for when buying a car,
and review the advantages and disadvantages of new and used cars. Then students review two
local advertisements and research the cars’ actual value and fuel efficiency. Finally, students
discover how to evaluate a specific car they’re considering purchasing, from researching its
history to looking for hidden problems. They also explore a list of “test-driving tips” to keep in
mind when they finally get behind the wheel.
PREPARATION .....................................................................................
q The following handouts can be made into overhead transparencies or copied onto
chart paper:
• Student Handbook page 162, Car Ads
• Student Handbook page 163, New vs. Used Cars
• Student Handbook pages 164–166, Find Your Car
• Student Handbook page 167, Test Drive Tips
q List the day’s BIG IDEA and activities on the board.
q List the day’s vocabulary words and definitions on the board.
qFor Activity III, Do Your Research Before You Go, use www.cars.com to find and print
out two ads for cars under $8,000, available locally, that will appeal to your students.
Also print out pages from the following sources that contain information about these cars:
• Kelly Blue Book (www.kbb.com)
• Safer Car (safercar.gov).
• (www.fueleconomy.gov) Click on “Compare Side by Side.”
Make enough copies so that you have a class set of information packets for each car.
Familiarize yourself with these websites so you can demonstrate their use.
q If Internet access is available, make arrangements to project the websites listed above
via your laptop and LCD projector.
q You may wish to update Student Handbook page 162, Car Ads, with current models
available in your area.
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Grade 11, Money Matters 3: Let’s Go Car Shopping!
VOCABULARY ......................................................................................
Make: The brand of a car, or the name of the car company, such as Ford, Toyota, or Chevrolet.
Mileage: The total number of miles a vehicle has been driven, as shown on the odometer; also
used to refer to MPG (miles per gallon), or the number of miles a vehicle can travel on one
gallon of fuel (MPG is usually provided for city driving and highway driving).
Model: One of the specific types of cars made by the company, such as Taurus, Corolla, or
Silverado; each model has its own unique design and features.
Warranty: A guarantee that comes with a car that the company will repair certain problems for
a specific period or number of miles.
IMPLEMENTATION OPTIONS ............................................................
In Activity I, Which Car Would You Choose?, if time permits, have students work in pairs and
spend a few minutes sharing their car choices and the reasons for their choices.
In Activity III, Do Your Research Before You Go, you may choose to abbreviate the activities
for the sake of time, omitting the research on car B at the bottom of Student Handbook pages
164–166, Find Your Car. If you choose this option, you’ll also need to skip the comparison
questions on this student handbook page (Activity V).
You may choose to complete the final page of Student Handbook pages 164–166, Find Your
Car, in Activity III.
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Grade 11, Money Matters 3: Let’s Go Car Shopping!
ACTIVITY STEPS ...................................................................................
I. Warm Up: Which Car Would You Choose? (5 minutes)
1. To begin this lesson, as students enter the classroom, have them turn to Student
Handbook page 162, Car Ads. Give students a few minutes to read the scenario and
answer the question.
2. SAY SOMETHING LIKE: Welcome, everybody. By now, I hope you’ve had a chance
to choose a car. I’d like to see a show of hands: How many of you have shopped for a
car before? How many of you think you’ll shop for a car in the next few years? Well,
it looks like that’s almost everybody! I think you’re going to be interested in the next
couple of lessons in our “Money Matters” unit. Today and next week we’re going to
focus on buying cars — how to find and pay for a car that’s right for you.
3. SAY SOMETHING LIKE: Even though we’re going to be focusing on cars over the next
few weeks, you’re going to learn some important lessons for any big purchase you
make in life. In a nutshell, those are:
• Always start by figuring out what you really need — and if you really need
what you’re about to purchase.
• Look closely at your budget and determine what you can really afford.
• Do your research to make sure you’re buying a quality product that will last.
After all, you could be paying for it for a long time!
• Don’t believe advertisements. Carefully investigate your purchase through
objective third-party reviews.
II. What to Look for in a Car (10 minutes)
1. SAY SOMETHING LIKE: Now I’d like you to think about why you chose the car you did
in the Warm Up activity. What do we look for when we’re shopping for a car? [Write
their responses on the board or chart paper. Guide them to include the following:
• style
• cost
• reliability
• speed/drivability
• gas mileage
• mileage
• special features (sunroof, stereo system, etc.)
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Grade 11, Money Matters 3: Let’s Go Car Shopping!
•
•
•
•
•
safety
size
reputation of car company
proximity of local repair shops
mileage and repair history]
2. SAY SOMETHING LIKE: Something else you might consider when buying a car is
whether to buy a new or used car. You might think that new is always better. After all,
a new car has hardly been driven. Well, both new and used cars have advantages
and disadvantages. Let’s look at those more closely. Please turn to your Student
Handbook page 163, New vs. Used.
As a class, review the advantages and disadvantages of new and used cars. As
first-time car buyers, most students will probably purchase a used car. Help them
understand that used cars have their advantages, as long as they thoroughly research
the car.
3. SAY SOMETHING LIKE: Another question you’ll need to consider is whether you’ll
buy from a dealership or a private seller. When you start searching for cars in the
classifieds, you’ll see ads from both types of sellers. I want to make a quick note about
each:
• Used car dealers often offer warranties or guarantees that they will repair
certain problems for a specific period or number of miles. A warranty is very
valuable for a used car, as you never know what could go wrong. However, you
pay for this. This is one reason that car prices are typically higher at dealers.
• Private sellers: Of course, private sellers don’t offer warranties, which is why
it’s important to research the specific car you buy. (You’ll learn more about this
later in the lesson.) However, private sellers also tend to have lower prices. So
if you’re buying a reliable model with a reasonable number of miles, and you
know the car you’re buying doesn’t have a history of problems, this can be a
smart way to buy a car.
4. SAY SOMETHING LIKE: Before we move on, I want to make a note about “mileage,”
or the number of miles the vehicle has been driven, which is always shown on a car’s
odometer. Of course, this is only an issue if you’re buying a used car. As you can
probably guess, the more miles a car has been driven, the less it will cost. But the
more a car is driven, the more it could (and probably will) require in repairs and
replaced parts. If you’re buying a used car, especially one with lots of miles, you’ll
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Grade 11, Money Matters 3: Let’s Go Car Shopping!
want to do your research to estimate how much you could spend on repairs and
replacing parts.
III.Do Your Research Before You Go (20 minutes)
1. SAY SOMETHING LIKE: When you start looking for a car, chances are you will
quickly narrow down your options using the criteria we just discussed. You may first
narrow your choices to a specific make, or brand, of car — like Ford or Toyota. Then
you’ll determine which model, or specific car made by that company, is right for you. Corolla or Camry are both models made by Toyota. It’s always good to have at least
a couple of different models in mind.
Once you’ve decided which models are best for you, do your research to find out what
people do and don’t like about these cars. You’ll find car reviews online (www.cars.
com) and in magazines. Also talk to people who own the car and check online bulletin
boards where owners post comments about problems they’ve encountered. You can
also find websites like Safer Car (safercar.gov), which provides information about a
specific model’s crash test results, and safety recalls.
2. SAY SOMETHING LIKE: To get a better idea of how this research is done, we’ll
research two cars that are currently on sale in our area. Please turn to your Student
Handbook pages 164–166, Find Your Car, for instructions.
• The first page of this student handbook page describes four websites where
you can find information about cars for sale. We’ll look at features of these
websites as we use them to compare cars.
• The second provides space to record your findings.
• The third contains a list of questions to ask once you’ve finished your research.
To save time, I’ve already printed out information from these websites for two cars, A
(year, make, model) and B (year, make, model). You can return to these websites at
home to investigate cars of your own choosing.
3. Distribute car packets you’ve created, providing each student with a copy of the
information for both cars. (See PREPARATION for details.)
4. As you discuss each website, illustrate its highlights using your laptop and LCD
projector. After reviewing each website, direct students to the relevant information in
their packets and pause so they can record details on the first page of Find Your Car.
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Grade 11, Money Matters 3: Let’s Go Car Shopping!
Complete the chart for car A as a class.
SAY SOMETHING LIKE: The websites listed on the first page of Find Your Car
provide a great overview of any car you’re thinking about buying. These aren’t the
only places you’ll find this information. But it’s important to know that it’s available,
and not difficult to check out.
• Cars for Sale: You can search for cars for sale online using websites such as
www.cars.com. Type in the year, make, model, and price you’re looking for,
and you’ll find details on cars that fit your specifications.
• Car’s Value: You can check to make sure you’re paying a fair price on sites
such as Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com). You can input the car’s year, make,
model, mileage, overall condition, and other details to find out its value. Note
that there are different values listed: private party value, which is closer to
what you should pay a private seller, and suggested retail value, which is
representative of a dealer’s asking price. Be sure to note who’s selling the car
you find and match the correct value.
• Car’s Fuel Efficiency: You can check out your car’s estimated MPG (miles per
gallon) at www.fueleconomy.gov. Click on “Compare Side by Side.” Enter
the car’s year, make, and model. Then look under “Estimated New EPA MPG”
to find the “Estimated MPG” for city driving, highway driving, and combined.
You’ll also find the “Annual Fuel Cost” (estimated cost of gas per year) on this
page.
• Car’s History: You can even investigate a car’s history, a final step in the
process before you buy. We won’t do this today — you need the car’s Vehicle
Identification Number to get the info. We’ll talk more about this before the
end of class.
5. Once the class has completed the chart on the second page of Find Your Car for car
A, have them complete the information for car B individually. Then reconvene the class
for the discussion below.
IV.Think You Found “The One?” (5 minutes)
1. SAY SOMETHING LIKE: OK, let’s say you’ve narrowed down your choices, searched
for cars for sale around you, and researched the car to make sure it’s one you want
and fairly priced. And now it’s time to check out the car itself. You’re probably pretty
excited about getting in the car and taking it for a test drive. After all, you’ve got to
see it and drive it for yourself to know if it’s really “the one.”
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Grade 11, Money Matters 3: Let’s Go Car Shopping!
2. SAY SOMETHING LIKE: First, you want to look beyond the car’s exterior. After all, it’s
what’s under the hood that could end up costing you more money than you bargained
for. You’ll find a lot of specific tips online for how to test-drive and evaluate a car. You can find a few in your Student Handbook page 167, Test Drive Tips.
In short, you should be actively looking for anything that doesn’t quite seem right —
whether it’s a funny smell or an odd noise. Any of these things could signal potential
problems and big money down the road. And be thorough. Be sure to test everything
in the car. If you find any problem with the car, it should be subtracted from the price.
3. SAY SOMETHING LIKE: Second, you want to make sure the car doesn’t have any
hidden mechanical problems. In other words, you want to make sure you’re not buying
a “lemon” — a car with recurring problems that are difficult to diagnose and fix.
You’ve probably heard of “certified used cars” or “certified pre-owned cars.” This
means the car has been through a thorough inspection and any problems have been
repaired. In addition, the car is backed by a manufacturer’s warranty. You do pay
extra for a car in this condition, but it’s a nice guarantee. Also, it’s usually limited to
cars that are under five years old and with less than 100,000 miles.
So, what do you do if the car you want to buy is not certified? Simple: Get it checked
out by a mechanic you trust — someone who’s not affiliated with the dealership in any
way. This inspection will cost you, but it’s well worth the expense. If the mechanic finds
a problem, it could save you from buying a lemon. If the problems are minor, they
should be deducted from the final cost of the car.
4. SAY SOMETHING LIKE: Finally, you always want to do a little “background check” on
the specific car you’re going to buy. At this point, you’ve already researched the make
and model, but now that you know the specific car, be sure to investigate the car’s
history. All you need is the car’s Vehicle Identification Number or VIN, which is specific
to every car. Once you have the VIN, you can access the car’s Vehicle History Report
for about $30. (You can access history reports online at www.carfax.com.)
This report will tell you if the car’s been in a major accident, damaged by flood, had
many owners, used as a rental — factors that could affect the car’s reliability, safety,
and value and end up costing you in repairs.
One note of caution here: A bad report can help you rule out a car with a problematic
history. But don’t use a good report as your only source of information about a car.
Carfax and similar sources may not find all the problems you’re trying to avoid. There’s no substitute for investigating on your own.
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Grade 11, Money Matters 3: Let’s Go Car Shopping!
5. SAY SOMETHING LIKE: And after all that, if you still love the car, should you make
the purchase? No! Even if everything checks out, never drive off the lot that day.
Take a day or two to think about it and double-check your financing. (We’ll talk more
about that step next week.)
V. Wrap Up (5 minutes)
1. SAY SOMETHING LIKE: Before we wrap up for the day, I’d like you to consider
the cars you researched today. Turn back to the third page of Find Your Car and
complete the section listed as, “Choose Your Car.” [Give students a few minutes to
answer these questions.]
2. SAY SOMETHING LIKE: Now don’t get too attached to that car! Next week, you’ll
find out whether or not you can afford it. We’ll also talk about getting car loans,
borrowing money to pay for a car.
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Grade 11, Money Matters 3: Let’s Go Car Shopping!
Student Handbook, Car Ads
Car Ads
You are about to start your freshman year in college. You will be commuting to
school from home, so you need a car. You sit down one morning over your Cheerios
and read over the classifieds to see what’s out there. Check out the car ads below.
AUTOMOBILES
Brand new, fun to drive, and it’s got your
name on it.
Kia Soul, 2012, Brand new, metallic blue 4-door sedan,
5-speed manual transmission, 4 cylinder 2.0 Liter
engine, power locks, auto locking doors, driver airbag,
AM/FM/single CD with 4 speakers, tilt steering wheel.
Come into your friendly Kia dealer and test drive
today! $23,000
A kickin’ truck for hauling it all.
CHEVROLET Silverado 1500, 2001, black, long bed,
V8 4.8 Liter engine, 4WD, automatic transmission,
A/C, power steering, AM/FM, front air bags. Excellent
condition, 140,000 miles. Call Bobby after 5pm,
123-XXX-XXXX. $4,500
Picture yourself in a red luxury convertible.
BMW 328 iC, 1998, Red 2-door convertible, 6-cylinder
2.8 Liter engine, 5-speed manual transmission, A/C,
power steering, AM/FM stereo, leather. Excellent
condition, 105,000 miles. Call the BMW Showroom for
a test drive today. $10,000
The car that won’t let you down.
FORD TAURUS SE, 2000, Burgundy 4-door sedan, V6
3.0 Liter engine, automatic transmission, 2WD, power
steering, driver and passenger airbags, anti-lock
brakes, AM/FM cassette radio, power windows, A/C,
cruise control. Good condition, 90,000 miles. Call June
during the day (XXX-XXX-XXXX). $2,500
Which one would you choose? Write two sentences below describing the reasons for your choice.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
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Grade 11, Money Matters 3: Let’s Go Car Shopping!
Student Handbook, New vs. Used Cars
New vs. Used Cars
It’s a big question every car buyer asks: Will you buy used or new? Chances are, as a first-time
car buyer, you’ll opt for a used car. But in case you’re wondering what the difference is, here’s a
look at the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Used Cars
Advantages
Disadvantages
Lower cost: Lower purchase price
and lower insurance premiums.
Cost of repairs: Older cars are
more likely to need repairs and
replacements.
“Certified” used cars are under
warranty.
You can research the reliability and
repair history of that particular
make and model.
New Cars
The thrill of owning the latest model.
New cars come with full warranties.
Require fewer repairs.
Despite higher costs, financing rates
can be lower.
Although “certified” used cars are
under warranty, these typically
cover less than warranties for new
cars.
Higher cost: Higher purchase price
and higher insurance premiums.
Depreciation: The moment you
drive off the lot, it loses a big chunk
of its value. A car’s value typically
decreases about 30% after the first
couple of years.
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Grade 11, Money Matters 3: Let’s Go Car Shopping!
Student Handbook, Find Your Car
Find Your Car
Which car would you choose if you were looking today? Use information on the
web to find and compare your options.
Step 1: Find the Cars You’re Looking for
Use online classified ads like www.cars.com to search the web by make, model, year, and price.
Record the information you find under “Car Details.”
Step 2: Check the Price
Research each car’s value using Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com). You can input the car’s
year, make, model, mileage, overall condition, and other details to find its value. Record this
information under “Car Value.”
Step 3: Check Your Car’s Fuel Efficiency and Estimate Fuel Costs
Check out each car’s MPG at www.fueleconomy.gov. Click on “Compare Side by Side.” Enter
the car’s year, make, and model. Then look under “Estimated New EPA MPG” and enter the
“Estimated MPG” for city driving, highway driving, and combined. Enter the “Annual Fuel Cost”
(estimated cost of gas per year).
Step 4: Investigate the Car’s History
Once you’ve identified your top choices, you can research the history of specific cars at
www.carfax.com and similar websites. By entering the car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN),
you can find its history — fires, floods, accidents, even repairs. There’s a charge for this service, so
check the website for current rates. (You can also find safety and reliability ratings on this website
free of charge.) Note: You should always have a reliable mechanic check out a used car you’re
considering. A report from Carfax (or a similar service) is not a substitute for an inspection by a
qualified mechanic.
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Grade 11, Money Matters 3: Let’s Go Car Shopping!
Student Handbook, Find Your Car
Find Your Car (continued)
CAR A
Car Details
Make
Year
Price
Features
Model
Mileage
Seller
Car Value
(check one)
q Private Party Value
q Suggested Retail Value
Estimated MPG and Fuel Costs (regular gasoline)
Combined
City
Highway
Estimated cost of gas per year
CAR B
Car Details
Make
Year
Price
Features
Car Value
(check one)
q Private Party Value
q Suggested Retail Value
Estimated MPG and Fuel Costs (regular gasoline)
Combined
City
Model
Mileage
Seller
Highway
Estimated cost of gas per year
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Grade 11, Money Matters 3: Let’s Go Car Shopping!
Student Handbook, Find Your Car
Find Your Car (continued)
Choose Your Car
Look back at the information you recorded about both cars and answer the
questions below.
1. Which car has been driven fewer miles?
_____________________________________________________________________________
2. Which car has more of the features you need in a car?
_____________________________________________________________________________
3. How does each car’s price compare with its Kelley Blue Book Price?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
4. Which car gets the better gas mileage?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
5. Based on what you’ve learned about both cars, which one would you choose?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
6. What would you still like to know about this car before you buy it? How could you find
those answers?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
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Grade 11, Money Matters 3: Let’s Go Car Shopping!
Student Handbook, Test Drive Tips
Test Drive Tips
You’ll find lots of tips online for what to look for when testing cars. Remember, the
most important thing is to take your time, be thorough, and be tough! Here’s a list
of some things to do and look for during a test drive:
Before You Drive
q Test everything in the car. Open and close all the doors, test all the car seats, push every
button, open and close all the windows. Test both the air conditioning and the heater — no
matter what the weather’s like outside.
q Sit in the passenger seat and the back seats, too.
q Sit in the driver’s seat and test the radio and other controls to make sure they’re easy to reach
while driving. Be sure to turn off the radio when you start the test drive so you can hear any
unusual noises.
q Sit in the car and look in front of you and in the rear-view and side-view mirrors. Can you see
well? Do you notice any blind spots?
q Look under the hood. Even if you don’t know much about cars, check to make sure it looks
relatively clean and that there are no funny fuel smells, leaks, or cracks in the belts. Also
make sure there’s no oil build-up or sludge inside the valve cover.
q Start the engine and stand behind the car. Look for abundant or dark smoke.
On the Drive
q Drive on many types of roads: city streets, the highway, winding roads, steep climbs, smooth
roads, and bumpy roads.
q Accelerate quickly to see if the car has enough power to pass slower cars or merge onto a
busy highway.
q Notice if the car jumps or lurches when you switch gears.
q Test the steering and handling by taking the car around sharp turns, long curves, and short
curves. Also be sure to try parallel parking.
q Test the brakes by stopping quickly in a safe place, such as a parking lot. Be sure to let your
fellow passengers know and check for cars behind you before trying this!
q Test the alignment. Drive in a straight line and notice if the car pulls to the right or left.
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